NJ Spotlight, NJTV to Host Two Gubernatorial Primary Debates

New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission picks partnership, also names Stockton University to host two other debates

NJ Spotlight, in partnership with NJTV Public Television, has been chosen to co-host two of the New Jersey gubernatorial primary debates this spring.

The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission yesterday picked the partnership to host two debates, one for the Democratic candidates and one for the Republican candidates.

The dates have not yet been set, but the debates would take place in April or May in the run-up to the June 6 primary.

"While NJTV has had past success sponsoring debates, I'm especially excited to partner with NJ Spotlight in 2017. Some of the brightest political minds in the state are coming together to bring unparalleled insight to this primary season," said Phil Alongi, executive producer of NJTV News.

ELEC also selected Stockton University’s Hughes Center for Public Policy to host two debates, also one each for both parties.

These will be the first debates co-hosted by NJ Spotlight in its seven years as a nonprofit public-policy news site. The application with NJTV calls for the debates to be held at its studios in Newark and to be broadcast live and online through Facebook Live or other platforms.